U.S.-based Perrigo said in July that it would acquire Elan for $8.6 billion. Elan is best known for the multiple sclerosis treatment Tysabri (natalizumab), marketed and distributed by Biogen Idec, while Perrigo manufactures various branded and generic prescription and OTC drugs. The deal between the two companies will give Perrigo a claim to "double-digit" royalties for Tysabri, CEO Joseph Papa said when the deal was announced.

With the Irish court’s approval, the two companies have met all regulatory approval requirements for the deal, they said. Elan’s shareholders approved the deal last month.

“Lack of medication adherence has serious health implications and is the No. 1 reason why people become hospitalized. People taking medications face many challenges, such as consistent timing, interactions with food or other medicines taken and not understanding the need to take their medicine as prescribed,” stated Albert Garcia, Navarro’s EVP of pharmacy and president of Navarro Health Services. “Opportunities, such as EZ Meds, make it easier for people to adhere to their prescription regimens and keep track of their medications thus improving their quality of life and health outcomes.”

Launched by Navarro Health Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Navarro Discount Pharmacy, EZ Meds is powered by the Parata EZ Med Machine purchased by Navarro for $500,000. The equipment is located in Navarro’s 2,500-sq.-ft. fulfillment center facility at its Medley headquarters where prescriptions are centralized for all of its pharmacy locations, maximizing efficiencies and allowing in-store pharmacists to spend more quality time with customers ensuring world class care.

How it works: Upon receiving a prescription, the Navarro pharmacy staff determines what medications can be packaged with the EZ Med Machine, which then packages the medicine according to dosage. A reusable dispenser box is provided including a roll of EZ Meds packets. Prescriptions enrolled in the EZ Meds program can be picked up at any Navarro location or delivered to a home or office.

There are already 1,000 Alphega Pharmacy locations in the United Kingdom, according to the report. The pharmacy operation is better known throughout Europe, however, where there are 5,000 franchise members.

Alliance Boots hopes to expand that network of 6,000 pharmacies out to 10,000, RetailWeek reported.

Alphega launched in France in 2001 and broke ground on British soil in 2008. Alphega Pharmacy also can be found in Germany, Italy and Spain, the Netherlands; and in Russia and the Czech republic.

RELATED NEWS

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic of Hoffman-La Roche’s Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) capsules from Lupin. The company’s generic will be available in 30-, 45- and 75-mg dosage strengths.
The product is inficated to treat acute, uncomplicated influenza A and B in patients 2 weeks of age and older, as well as to prevent influenza A and B in patients 1 year old and older. The drug had U.S. sales of roughly $467.8 million for the 12 months ended October 2017, according to IQVIA data.

Behavioral health pharmacy and telepsychiatry company Genoa, a QoL Healthcare Company, has reached a big number with its remote psychiatry offering. The Tukwila, Wash.-based company announced Tuesday that it had facilitated more than 100,000 telepsych consultations on its video conferencing platform.
Genoa attributes the milestone to its recent buildup of its telepsychiatry operations, which grew to include 35 in 2017 from 20 at the start of the year, and included 250 providers. In 2017, the company grew to serve more than 2,500 patients per week.

This year's flu continues to be Texas big, according to the Walgreens Flu Index released Wednesday, as the top 10 communities experiencing the greatest amount of flu incidence were all located in the Lone Star State for the week ended Jan. 6.
Iowa, Idaho and Arkansas rank behind Texas in terms of flu activity. And Montana, Idaho and Iowa ranked highest among states experiencing flu activity gains.

Amneal Biosciences has launched its generic of Otsuka’s Busulfex (busulfan injection, 6 mg/ml). The product is indicated to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Amneal said that its generic is available in cartons of eight single-dose vials, each of which contains 60 mg of the drug in a 10-ml clear sterile solution. The product is made without natural rubber, latex, gluten or preservatives, Amneal said.
The drug had U.S. sales of roughly $80 million for the 12 months ended October 2017, according to data from IQVIA.

Amneal Pharmaceuticals has launched sevelamer carbonate tablets, 800 mg, in 270-count bottles. This generic from the Bridgewater, N.J.-based company is an AB-rated therapeutic equivalent to Renvela.
Amneal also launched five other products in addition to sevelamer carbonate:

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